A biocompatible nanoparticle-based approach to inhibiting renal ischemia reperfusion injury in mice by blocking thrombospondin-1 activity

Nanotechnology-based Strategies for Molecular Imaging, Diagnosis, and Therapy of Organ Transplantation

Organ transplantation is the preferred paradigm for patients with end-stage organ failures. Despite unprecedented successes, complications such as immune rejection, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and graft dysfunction remain significant barriers to long-term recipient survival after transplantation. Conventional immunosuppressive drugs have limited efficacy because of significant drug toxicities, high systemic immune burden, and emergence of transplant infectious disease, leading to poor quality of life for patients. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has emerged as a promising medical technology and offers several advantages by enhancing the delivery of drug payloads to their target sites, reducing systemic toxicity, and facilitating patient compliance over free drug administration. In addition, nanotechnology-based imaging approaches provide exciting diagnostic methods for monitoring molecular and cellular changes in transplanted organs, visualizing immune responses, and assessing the severity of rejection. These noninvasive technologies are expected to help enhance the posttransplantation patient survival through real time and early diagnosis of disease progression. Here, we present a comprehensive review of nanotechnology-assisted strategies in various aspects of organ transplantation, including organ protection before transplantation, mitigation of ischemia-reperfusion injury, counteraction of immune rejection, early detection of organ dysfunction posttransplantation, and molecular imaging and diagnosis of immune rejection.

Role of TSP-1 and its receptor ITGB3 in the renal tubulointerstitial injury of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a common cause of primary glomerulonephritis, has a poor prognosis and is pathologically featured by tubulointerstitial injury. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is an extracellular matrix protein that acts in combination with different receptors in the kidney. Here, we analyzed the tubular expression of TSP-1 and its receptor integrin β3 (ITGB3) in FSGS. Previously the renal interstitial chip analysis of FSGS patients with tubular interstitial injury showed that the expression of TSP-1 and ITGB3 were upregulated. We found that the expression of TSP-1 and ITGB3 increased in the tubular cells of FSGS patients. The plasma level of TSP-1 increased and was correlated to the degree of tubulointerstitial lesions in FSGS patients. TSP-1/ITGB3 signaling induced renal tubular injury in HK-2 cells exposure to bovine serum albumin and the adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy model. THBS1 KO ameliorated tubular injury and renal fibrosis in ADR-treated mice. THBS1 knockdown decreased the expression of KIM-1 and caspase 3 in the HK-2 cells treated with bovine serum albumin, while THBS1 overexpression could induce tubular injury. In vivo, we identified cyclo-RGDfK as an agent to block the binding of TSP-1 to ITGB3. Cyclo-RGDfK treatment could alleviate ADR-induced renal tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis in mice. Moreover, TSP-1 and ITGB3 were colocalized in tubular cells of FSGS patients and ADR-treated mice. Taken together, our data showed that TSP-1/ITGB3 signaling contributed to the development of renal tubulointerstitial injury in FSGS, potentially identifying a new therapeutic target for FSGS.

De novo design of a nanoregulator for the dynamic restoration of ovarian tissue in cryopreservation and transplantation

The cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue underscore its paramount importance in safeguarding reproductive capacity and ameliorating reproductive disorders. However, challenges persist in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation (OTC-T), including the risk of tissue damage and dysfunction. Consequently, there has been a compelling exploration into the realm of nanoregulators to refine and enhance these procedures. This review embarks on a meticulous examination of the intricate anatomical structure of the ovary and its microenvironment, thereby establishing a robust groundwork for the development of nanomodulators. It systematically categorizes nanoregulators and delves deeply into their functions and mechanisms, meticulously tailored for optimizing ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. Furthermore, the review imparts valuable insights into the practical applications and obstacles encountered in clinical settings associated with OTC-T. Moreover, the review advocates for the utilization of microbially derived nanomodulators as a potent therapeutic intervention in ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The progression of these approaches holds the promise of seamlessly integrating nanoregulators into OTC-T practices, thereby heralding a new era of expansive applications and auspicious prospects in this pivotal domain.

CD44-targeted melanin-based nanoplatform for alleviation of ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious kidney disease with high morbidity and mortality. However, there is no effective clinical treatment strategy. Herein, we developed a CD44 targeting nanoplatform based on HA-assembled melanin NPs covalently coupled with dexamethasone for I/R-induced AKI therapy by alleviating oxidative/inflammatory- induced damage. The constructed HA-MNP-DXM NPs had good dispersion, stability, and broad-spectrum scavenging capabilities against multiple reactive free radicals. Moreover, the NPs could be efficiently internalized and exhibited antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects in CoCl2-stimulated renal tubular epithelial NRK-52E cells. Furthermore, the I/R-induced AKI murine model was established to evaluate the in vivo performance of NPs. The results suggested the NPs could specifically target impaired kidneys upon intravenous administration according to NIR-II fluorescence imaging and showed high biosafety. Importantly, the NPs could improve renal function, alleviate oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions, inhibit apoptosis of tubular cells, and restore mitochondrial structure and function, exhibiting excellent therapeutic effects. Further therapeutic mechanism indicated the NPs maintained the cellular/mitochondrial redox balance by modulating the Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. Therefore, the NPs can be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of I/R-induced AKI.

Irradiation induces DJ-1 secretion from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells to accelerate metastasis of bystander cells via a TGF-β1 positive feedback loop

Background

Radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) can promote tumor metastasis contributing to the failure of radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Aberrant expression of DJ-1 has been identified in ESCC; however, the relationship between DJ-1 and RIBE in ESCC remains unknown.

Methods

We detected DJ-1 in the serum and cell supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and evaluated tumor metastasis by phenotypic experiments in vivo and in vitro. RNA-seq, mass spectrometry, western blot (WB), immunoprecipitation (IP), and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Results

DJ-1 was highly expressed in the serum of patients with ESCC receiving radiotherapy and was significantly overexpressed in the medium of ESCC cells receiving irradiation. DJ-1 promoted tumor metastasis via the TGF-β1 pathway. Mechanistic studies revealed that DJ-1 bound to HSC70 to promote Smad3 phosphorylation and nuclear aggregation in a protein-interaction manner, which activated the transcription of Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1). Subsequently, the activation of TGF-β1 by TSP1 re-promoted Smad3 phosphorylation and nuclear aggregation, constituting a positive feedback loop to strengthen the metastasis of ESCC cells, which was effectively blocked by LY2109761 and LSKL. Moreover, higher levels of serum DJ-1 in patients with ESCC were related to a poorer prognosis of radiotherapy.

Conclusions

Irradiation can induce ESCC cells secreting DJ-1. Secreted DJ-1 enters bystander cells to initiate activation of the TGF-β1 pathway via the DJ-1/HSC70/Smad3 signaling axis. The TSP1/TGF-β1/Smad3 positive feedback pathway constitutes the core pathway that promotes ESCC metastasis. DJ-1 is a useful biomarker for predicting the efficacy of radiotherapy and a potential therapeutic target for reversing RIBE in ESCC.

Graphical Abstract

Schematic diagram showing the underlying mechanism that irradiation-induced secretion of DJ-1 accelerates the metastasis of bystander ESCC cells.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02471-6.